5089. tilló
Lexical Summary
tilló: To pluck, to pull out

Original Word: τίλλω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tilló
Pronunciation: TIL-lo
Phonetic Spelling: (til'-lo)
KJV: pluck
NASB: picking, pick
Word Origin: [perhaps akin to the alternate of G138 (αἱρέομαι - choose), and thus to G4951 (σύρω - dragging)]

1. to pull off

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pluck.

Perhaps akin to the alternate of haireomai, and thus to suro; to pull off -- pluck.

see GREEK suro

see GREEK haireomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
to pluck, to pluck off
NASB Translation
pick (1), picking (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5089: τίλλω

τίλλω; imperfect ἔτιλλον; from Homer down; to pluck, pluck off: στραχυας, Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23 (on this cf., p. 524b top); Luke 6:1.

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea and Imagery

The verb behind Strong’s Greek 5089 evokes the simple act of plucking—gently separating grain kernels from stalks by rubbing them between the fingers. It is an intentionally light, small-scale motion, neither reaping for profit nor exerting heavy labor. In Scripture the image functions as a hinge between daily sustenance and deeper questions of lawful behavior before God.

Scriptural Occurrences

Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1.

Each passage narrates the same historical moment: the disciples, walking with Jesus on the Sabbath, “began to pick heads of grain” (Matthew 12:1). Luke 6:1 clarifies that they were also “rubbing them in their hands” to eat. The action is modest; the controversy it sparks is momentous.

First-Century Agrarian Context

Jewish law permitted travelers to glean handfuls from a neighbor’s field (Deuteronomy 23:25). Such gleaning preserved social generosity while safeguarding against commercial exploitation. Plucking grain spoke of covenant community: Israel’s land was ultimately God’s, so a hungry wayfarer need not starve. The practice was common enough that Pharisees could observe it in real time as Jesus and His disciples moved through Galilee’s ripening fields.

Sabbath Controversy and Christological Claim

The Pharisees interpreted the disciples’ motion as harvesting and threshing, activities forbidden on the Sabbath (Exodus 34:21). Jesus responds in each Gospel account by appealing to Scripture (David eating the consecrated bread, priests laboring in the Temple) and by declaring, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). The small verb tillō becomes the flashpoint for proclaiming His messianic authority. A minor agricultural gesture unveils the greater truth that Sabbath finds its fulfillment in Christ, who grants true rest (Hebrews 4:9-10).

Theological Reflections

1. Mercy over ritual: The narrative illustrates Hosea 6:6—God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Legitimate hunger outweighed meticulous rule-keeping.
2. Lordship of Christ: By sanctioning the act, Jesus asserts dominion over the Law’s timing and intention.
3. Sabbath as blessing: Tillō reminds believers that Sabbath is given for refreshment, not bondage (Mark 2:27).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral care: Minor infractions often mask deeper spiritual hunger. Address the heart, not merely the habit.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to trust Christ’s provision in daily necessities; He allowed His followers to meet ordinary physical needs even under scrutiny.
• Community generosity: Modern parallels to gleaning—food pantries, benevolence funds—honor the same covenant principle of shared resources.

Homiletical Insights

A sermon may contrast the Pharisees’ clenched fists with the disciples’ open hands. The quiet rustle of grain between fingers becomes a parable: grace is received, not earned. Preachers can invite hearers to “pluck” the promises of God, savoring them without fear of legalistic condemnation.

Historical Significance for Early Church

Early Christian readers, many worshiping on the first day of the week, looked back on these texts for guidance in Sabbath-related disputes (see Colossians 2:16). The verb underscores continuity with Israel’s Scriptures while affirming the new covenant freedom inaugurated by Christ.

Devotional Reflection

Pause to imagine walking with Jesus through golden fields. Hear the husks crackle in your palm. The Lord who sanctions a humble snack also sustains your soul. Let the act of plucking remind you that in Him every need—physical and spiritual—is met with compassionate authority.

Forms and Transliterations
ετιλλον έτιλλον ἔτιλλον τετιλμένου τιλλειν τίλλειν τιλλοντες τίλλοντες etillon étillon tillein tíllein tillontes tíllontes
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 12:1 V-PNA
GRK: καὶ ἤρξαντο τίλλειν στάχυας καὶ
NAS: and began to pick the heads
KJV: began to pluck the ears of corn,
INT: and began to pluck [the] heads of grain and

Mark 2:23 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ὁδὸν ποιεῖν τίλλοντες τοὺς στάχυας
NAS: their way along while picking the heads
KJV: as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
INT: [their] way to make plucking the heads of grain

Luke 6:1 V-IIA-3P
GRK: σπορίμων καὶ ἔτιλλον οἱ μαθηταὶ
NAS: and His disciples were picking the heads of grain,
KJV: disciples plucked the ears of corn,
INT: grainfields and were plucking the disciples

Strong's Greek 5089
3 Occurrences


ἔτιλλον — 1 Occ.
τίλλειν — 1 Occ.
τίλλοντες — 1 Occ.

5088
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